Firm sustains national top-tier rankings for patent prosecution and life sciences IP along with top state rankings for standout IP work; ten Knobbe Martens lawyers named “IP STARS”
IRVINE, Calif., July 31, 2026 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that multiple firm practices and ten of its lawyers received top rankings in the 2026 edition of Managing IP’s IP STARS guide.
Knobbe Martens again garnered multiple national rankings in the guide, including Tier 1 rankings in Patent Prosecution and Life Sciences IP. The firm also earned high-level national rankings in Patent Disputes, Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Litigation, Trademark Disputes, and Trademark Prosecution.
The guide also highlighted the firm’s reputation as a leader in some of the country’s most crucial markets for intellectual property law. In California, the firm sustained top-tier rankings for Trademark Prosecution, Trademark Disputes, Patent Prosecution, and Patent Disputes, in addition to being ranked for its work in Copyright & Related Rights. In Washington state, the firm received the highest possible ranking for Intellectual Property.
In addition, ten Knobbe Martens lawyers were named in the 2026 IP STARS guide for their outstanding work in intellectual property law, including:
- Carol Pitzel Cruz (Patent Star)
- Steve Jensen (Patent Star)
- Christy Lea (Patent Star)
- Sabing Lee (Patent Star)
- Salima Merani (Transactions Star & Trademark Star)
- Joseph Re (Patent Star)
- Lynda Zadra-Symes (Trademark Star)
- William Zimmerman (Patent Star)
- Ashley Morales (Rising Star)
- Douglas Wentzel (Rising Star)
Managing IP’s annual IP STARS rankings are based on months of research in over 70 jurisdictions, which includes analysis of firm-submitted and publicly available information, as well as market feedback and client interviews.
Knobbe Martens’ standout rankings in the 2026 IP STARS guide is the firm’s latest recognition from Managing IP. Earlier this year, the firm received multiple recognitions at the Managing IP Americas Awards, including “IP Boutique Firm of the Year” and an “Impact Case of the Year” award.
About Knobbe Martens
Knobbe Martens protects the ideas that drive innovation and propel our world forward. As a leading intellectual property and technology law firm, clients worldwide rely on us to safeguard their products, brands, and technologies through strategic counsel and high-impact litigation. With offices across the U.S., our lawyers and technology specialists collaborate to deliver tailored solutions for clients ranging from multinational corporations to start-ups and emerging companies at every stage. Discover more at www.knobbe.com.
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